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The NC State Wolfpack baseball team is the varsity intercollegiate baseball program of North Carolina State University, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The team has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since the conference's founding in the 1954 season. The program's home venue is Doak Field, which opened in 1966. Elliott Avent has been the head coach of the team since prior to the 1997 season. As of the end of the 2022 season, the Wolfpack have appeared in three College World Series and 32 NCAA tournaments. They have won four ACC tournament Championships and four ACC Regular season Championships. As of the 2021 Major League Baseball season, 47 former Wolfpack players have played in Major League Baseball.

History

The baseball program played its first official game against Guilford College in 1894.[2] The program began varsity play in 1903, playing at Riddick Stadium, and in 1907 won its first State Championship.[3] The program competed in each season until 1914, when the program was discontinued for three seasons (1914–1916) before being revived prior to the 1917 season.[3]

The team's nickname was the "Farmers" until autumn 1921, when an alumnus complained that the behavior of some of the school's football players was "as unruly as a pack of wolves." Subsequently, newspapers began referring to the school's athletic teams as the "Wolfpack."[4]

The program's current venue, Doak Field, opened in 1966.[5]

NC State made its first College World Series appearance in 1968, in the second season of head coach Sammy Esposito's tenure. In the World Series, the team lost in the semifinals to eventual champion USC.[6] Since the NCAA tournament's format was changed in 1999 to include the Super Regional round, NC State has appeared in five Super Regionals, losing to Miami in 2003, Georgia in 2008, and Florida in 2012, beating Rice in 2013, and Arkansas in 2021.[7][8][9]

The Wolfpack have hosted five NCAA Regionals, one at Wilson, North Carolina's Fleming Stadium (in 2003) and four at Doak Field (in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2016).[9][10]

Conference affiliations

Venues

Riddick Stadium

Prior to 1966, the team played at Riddick Stadium, which was also home to the NC State football program.[11][12]

Doak Field

The Wolfpack's home venue is Doak Field, which opened in 1966 and has a capacity of 3,000 spectators. The field is named for Charles Doak, who was the program's head coach from 1924 to 1939.[5]

Head coaches

The program's most successful head coach was Sammy Esposito. Esposito coached teams to four ACC regular season championships, three ACC tournament championships, and one College World Series appearance in his 21-year tenure.

Current head coach Elliot Avent is the program's leader in total career victories at NC State, with 951 as of April 25, 2022. Avent became the program's winningest coach on May 9, 2010, in a 21–0 NC State win over Towson. The win was Avent's 514th, putting him past Sammy Esposito on the program's career wins list.[13][14]

Coach Avent is also the program's longest tenured head coach, with 22 seasons in the position. Vic Sorrell and Sammy Esposito each served as head coach for 21 seasons.[3]

Year(s) Coach Seasons W-L-T Pct
1903–1904 C. D. Welch 2 20–15–0 .571
1905–1906 M. J. Kittredge 2 16–12–0 .571
1907 W. W. "Win" Clark[15][16] 1 14–8–0 .636
1908–1911 Frank Thompson 4 70–16–4 .800
1912 Edward Green 1 13–6–1 .675
1913 Fred Anderson 1 6–0–0 1.000
1917–1918, 1921–1923 Harry Hartsell 5 52–37–4 .581
1919 Tal Stafford 1 12–11–0 .522
1920 Bill Fetzer 1 14–6–0 .700
1924–1939 Charles Doak 16 147–129–6 .533
1940–1944 Williams Newton 5 16–50–0 .242
1945 Beattie Feathers 1 7–6–0 .538
1946–1966 Vic Sorrell 21 223–196–5 .532
1967–1987 Sammy Esposito 21 513–253–4 .669
1988–1996 Ray Tanner 9 395–173–3 .694
1997–present Elliott Avent 25 926–550 .627
Totals 16 107 2,444–1,327–27 .619

[3]

Yearly record

Wolfpack Baseball Yearly record

Statistics overview
Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Independent (1903–1913)
1903 C. D. Welch 10–3
1904 C. D. Welch 10–12
1905 M. J. Kittredge 10–5
1906 M. J. Kittredge 6–7
1907 Win Clark 14–8 State Champions[17]
1908 Frank Thompson 21–4
1909 Frank Thompson 16–8–1
1910 Frank Thompson 15–1–3
1911 Frank Thompson 18–3
1912 Edward Green 13–6–1
1913 Fred Anderson 6–0–0
No program (1914–1916)
Independent (1917–1921)
1917 Harry Hartsell 5–8
1918 Harry Hartsell 11–5–1
1919 Tal Stafford 12–11
1920 Bill Fetzer 14–6
1921 Harry Hartsell 10–10–2
Independent: 191-97-8
Southern Conference (1922–1953)
1922 Harry Hartsell 13–7
1923 Harry Hartsell 13–7–1
1924 Charles Doak 18–4
1925 Charles Doak 14–4
1926 Charles Doak 7–13
1927 Charles Doak 2–10
1928 Charles Doak 12–6
1929 Charles Doak 9–9
1930 Charles Doak 8–10–1
1931 Charles Doak 11–8
1932 Charles Doak 7–6–2
1933 Charles Doak 9–4
1934 Charles Doak 9–11–1
1935 Charles Doak 10–9
1936 Charles Doak 11–8
1937 Charles Doak 7–12
1938 Charles Doak 8–7–2
1939 Charles Doak 5–8
1940 Williams Newton 3–9
1941 Williams Newton 3–10
1942 Williams Newton 6–9
1943 Williams Newton 3–10
1944 Williams Newton 1–12
1945 Beattie Feathers 7–6
1946 Vic Sorrell 11–4
1947 Vic Sorrell 9–13
1948 Vic Sorrell 8–13–1
1949 Vic Sorrell 8–12
1950 Vic Sorrell 16–9
1951 Vic Sorrell 10–10
1952 Vic Sorrell 15–10
1953 Vic Sorrell 11–9
Southern: 284-279-8
Atlantic Coast Conference (1954–present)
1954 Vic Sorrell 8–8 8–6 3rd
1955 Vic Sorrell 13–4 12–3 2nd
1956 Vic Sorrell 14–5–1 11–4 2nd
1957 Vic Sorrell 8–10 7–7 4th
1958 Vic Sorrell 10–7 6–7 5th
1959 Vic Sorrell 8–12 5–9 8th
1960 Vic Sorrell 12–8 9–5 3rd
1961 Vic Sorrell 13–5 8–5 4th
1962 Vic Sorrell 11–10 8–6 t–3rd
1963 Vic Sorrell 9–10 4–10 7th
1964 Vic Sorrell 8–15 4–9 7th
1965 Vic Sorrell 10–10–1 6–8 t–5th
1966 Vic Sorrell 11–12–2 7–7 t–3rd
1967 Sammy Esposito 11–11 6–7 5th
1968 Sammy Esposito 25–9 13–4 1st College World Series
1969 Sammy Esposito 17–11 9–9 4th
1970 Sammy Esposito 21–10 13–8 3rd
1971 Sammy Esposito 18–11–1 9–5 3rd
1972 Sammy Esposito 19–13 7–8 4th
1973 Sammy Esposito 23–10–1 9–3 2nd District 3 Regionals
1974 Sammy Esposito 22–10 7–5 3rd District 3 Regionals
1975 Sammy Esposito 27–7 10–2 t–1st Atlantic Regional
1976 Sammy Esposito 20–12 6–6 4th ACC tournament
1977 Sammy Esposito 27–12 5–5 t–4th ACC tournament
1978 Sammy Esposito 23–16 5–7 5th ACC tournament
1979 Sammy Esposito 23–13 3–9 6th
1980 Sammy Esposito 21–12 7–6 4th ACC tournament
1981 Sammy Esposito 33–12 10–4 t–1st ACC tournament
1982 Sammy Esposito 24–14 7–7 4th ACC tournament
1983 Sammy Esposito 23–13–1 9–4 2nd ACC tournament
1984 Sammy Esposito 32–8 9–3 3rd ACC tournament
1985 Sammy Esposito 29–16 8–5 4th ACC tournament
1986 Sammy Esposito 35–15 11–2 1st South II Regional
1987 Sammy Esposito 39–16 12–8 4th Mideast Regional
1988 Ray Tanner 45–16 13–6 2nd East Regional
1989 Ray Tanner 35–21–2 10–10 4th ACC tournament
1990 Ray Tanner 48–20 14–7 3rd Atlantic Regional
1991 Ray Tanner 48–20 11–10 3rd East Regional
1992 Ray Tanner 46–18 15–9 3rd Atlantic Regional
1993 Ray Tanner 49–17 15–7 2nd Midwest Regional
1994 Ray Tanner 46–18–1 13–11 5th Mideast Regional
1995 Ray Tanner 36–24 14–14 6th ACC tournament
1996 Ray Tanner 42–19 14–13 t–3rd East Regional
1997 Elliott Avent 43–20 15–8 3rd South II Regional
1998 Elliott Avent 41–23 12–9 4th West Regional
1999 Elliott Avent 37–25 11–13 6th Auburn Regional
2000 Elliott Avent 30–28 10–14 t–6th ACC tournament
2001 Elliott Avent 32–28 9–15 t–7th ACC tournament
2002 Elliott Avent 33–26 7–17 7th ACC tournament
2003 Elliott Avent 45–18 15–9 t–3rd Coral Gables Super Regional
2004 Elliott Avent 36–24 11–12 6th Coral Gables Regional
2005 Elliott Avent 41–19 17–13 6th Lincoln Regional
2006 Elliott Avent 40–23 16–13 t–2nd (Atlantic) Austin Regional
2007 Elliott Avent 38–23 16–14 3rd (Atlantic) Columbia, SC Regional
2008 Elliott Avent 42–22 18–11 2nd (Atlantic) Athens Super Regional
2009 Elliott Avent 25–31 10–20 t–4th (Atlantic)
2010 Elliott Avent 38–24 15–15 3rd (Atlantic) Myrtle Beach Regional
2011 Elliott Avent 35–27 15–15 t–3rd (Atlantic) Columbia Regional
2012 Elliott Avent 43–20 19–11 2nd (Atlantic) Gainesville Super Regional
2013 Elliott Avent 50–16 19–10 2nd (Atlantic) College World Series
2014 Elliott Avent 32–23 13–17 5th (Atlantic) ACC tournament
2015 Elliott Avent 36–22 15–14 5th (Atlantic) Fort Worth Regional
2016 Elliott Avent 36–22 15–14 3rd (Atlantic) Raleigh Regional
2017 Elliott Avent 36–25 16–14 4th (Atlantic) Lexington Regional
2018 Elliott Avent 42–18 19–11 3rd (Atlantic) Raleigh Regional
2019 Elliott Avent 42–19 18–12 t-3rd (Atlantic) Greenville Regional
2020 Elliott Avent 14–3 1–2 t-8th (Atlantic) Canceled for Covid-19
2021 Elliott Avent 37–18 19–14 3rd Atlantic) College World Series
ACC: 1,968–1,087–10 739-606
Total: 2,479–1,493–27

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

[3][18]

Individual awards

National awards

Brooks Wallace Award

Richard W. "Dick" Case Award

Conference awards

ACC Baseball Player of the Year

ACC Baseball Coach of the Year

ACC Baseball Rookie of the Year

ACC Baseball Pitcher of the Year

Notable players

Below is a list of notable players of the program and the seasons in which they played for the Wolfpack.[19]

Current MLB Roster

Former Wolfpack players on current MLB rosters as of August 14, 2023.[20]

Player Position Number Team
Patrick Bailey C 14 San Francisco Giants
Andrew Knizner C 7 St. Louis Cardinals
Carlos Rodon P 16 San Francisco Giants
Trea Turner SS 6 Philadelphia Phillies

Major League Baseball Draft

2012

In the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, two NC State players were selected. Junior shortstop Chris Diaz was selected in the 11th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and senior outfielder Ryan Mathews was selected in the 27th round by the Oakland Athletics.[21][22] Both players signed contracts with their respective organizations.[23][24]

2014

In the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft, two NC State players were selected in the first round. Junior pitcher Carlos Rodon was selected 3rd overall in the 1st round by the Chicago White Sox, and shortstop Trea Turner was selected 13th overall by the San Diego Padres.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ NC State Athletics Brand Guide (PDF). January 11, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  2. ^ "University Archives Photograph Collection, Athletics Photographs, 1893-2003 NCSU Special Collections Research Center Collection Guides". www.lib.ncsu.edu. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e "2012 NC State Baseball Yearbook". PackYearbooks.com. NC State Sports Information. Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  4. ^ "Welcome to Wolfpack Awareness Week". GoPack.com. October 18, 2010. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Doak Field at Dail Park". Go Pack. Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  6. ^ Peeler, Tim. "The Wolfpacker Remembers 1968 College World Series". GoPack.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  7. ^ Kelly, Omar (June 7, 2003). "Coral Gables Super Regional". The Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  8. ^ "No. 1 Florida Beats NC State". ESPN.com. June 10, 2012. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  9. ^ a b McCreary, Joedy. "Wolfpack Opens Raleigh Regional Play Friday at Doak Field". HeraldSun.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  10. ^ "Wilson Regional Capsules". CollegeBaseballInsider.com. May 30, 2003. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  11. ^ "Riddick Stadium". NCSU.edu. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  12. ^ "Wolfpack Baseball: A History of Achievement Exhibition Highlights". North Carolina State University Libraries. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  13. ^ Peeler, Tim. "Peeler: Avent Proud to Set School Mark for Wins". GoPack.com. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  14. ^ "NC State Blasts 7 Homers to Sweep Tigers, 21-0". TowsonTigers.com. Towson Sports Information. May 9, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  15. ^ Harris, C. D. (February 1907). "BASE BALL SCHEDULE 1907". Red and White. 8 (6): 281. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  16. ^ "The A. & M. Coach: "Win" Clark Known Throughout the Eastern States". March 16, 1907. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  17. ^ "University Archives Photograph Collection, Athletics Photographs, 1893-2003 | NC State University Libraries Collection Guides". Lib.ncsu.edu. February 22, 1999. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  18. ^ "2012 Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Media Guide". TheACC.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  19. ^ "North Carolina State University Baseball Players Who Made it to the Major Leagues". Baseball-Almanac.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  20. ^ "MLB Players Rosters - Major League Baseball - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  21. ^ "2012 NC State Baseball Roster". GoPack.com. NC State Sports Information. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  22. ^ "2012 MLB Draft by School: N-S". CollegeBaseballInsider.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  23. ^ Wilmoth, Charlie (June 19, 2012). "MLB Draft Signings: Pirates Sign Adrian Sampson, Chris Diaz". SB Nation Pittsburgh. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  24. ^ "A's Agree to Terms with Three from 2012 First-Year Player Draft". OaklandAthletics.com. June 16, 2012. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  25. ^ "NC State's Rodon, ECU's Hoffman go top-10 in MLB draft :: WRALSportsFan.com".

External links